Yesterday was a day of remembering to do what I love.
I got Chloe out the door in time to make it to a yoga class (something that doesn’t always happen as often as I hope, even as a yoga teacher). Later as I sat down to work on some more malas for Philly Chant and Yoga Festival and my Etsy shop, I realized that it was time to make one for myself, so I began that project.
We can share what we love and believe to be important with the world, but if we don’t allow ourselves to have it too, we’re really missing out.
This statement was powerful when it came through. There’s a lot of talk about self-care, and I’ve done my fair share of reminding women over the years about how we need to take care of ourselves before others. And we do.
What shifted about this idea is that I found myself no longer thinking about taking care of others but sharing what we love with others.
The same concept applies.
For those of us who find ourselves on the path where we get to share what we love, our own opportunities to experience these things can get lost, just as easily as it can for the mama who is so focused on taking care of her family that she forgets to take care of herself.
The yoga teacher who finds herself teaching more and more and taking less time to practice herself (because there are only so many hours in the day).
The artist who creates for others and forgets to surround herself with beauty that catches her eye.
The writer who writes for others and not for herself (I’m not guilty of this one, I write all the time).
The doctor who treats others with love and compassion and who does not take good care of her own health.
The workaholic who loves what she does but fills her time so that there is no time left for anything else she loves.
We all do it or have done it at some point in our lives. No matter how we share what we love, that light will burn brighter for others when we remember to share it with ourselves.
I am continuing this practice today. I woke up and meditated this morning before I even got out of bed. I am sitting in a coffee shop for the first time in months, sipping tea and enjoying the overcast day.
You deserve to not miss out on your life. Share the things you love with the world, and share them with yourself too.
With Love and Gratitude,
Xandra
